Arne Slot’s believes that Virgil van Dijk’s decision to commit to Liverpool for another two years proves the ambition of the Anfield club.
The Reds skipper joined talisman Mohamed Salah in signing new terms with the soon-to-be Premier League champions, ending months of speculation over the futures of two of Europe’s best players.
The big money deals, each believed to be in the region of £400,000 per-week, break with tradition for the Reds hierarchy that have previously been reluctant to hand out lucrative contracts to players in their thirties.
And Slot, who could become only the second man in the last 35 years to lead the Reds to a top-flight title this weekend, claimed that the club’s determination to resign Van Dijk and his desire to stay speaks volumes of the project at Merseyside.
‘It tells you that we want to keep our best players,’ said Slot. ‘The players who have been great for so many seasons in a row. That we are able to keep them when they are free agents tells you the ambition we have.’
The conspicuous absentee from the Anfield renewal party is right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold – the third of the three Liverpool stars who entered this season with only 12 months remaining on their deals.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk put pen to paper on a new two-year deal to remain at Liverpool
Arne Slot believes that the deals for Van Dijk and Mo Salah, who also committed his future to the club, speaks volumes about the project at the club
Slot revealed that Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is nearing a move to Real Madrid, could return to the squad against Leicester
But while Van Dijk and Salah have opted for more years in the north west, the Scouser appears to be nearing a move to LaLiga giants Real Madrid this summer. While a deal has yet to be agreed between Alexander-Arnold and the Spanish giants all signs appear to be pointing towards the 26-year-old departing his boyhood club.
The right-back has missed the Reds’ last three Premier League matches with an ankle injury sustained in the Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain last month.
Slot revealed that the England international could return to the matchday squad for the clash against Leicester City on Sunday but he was keen to stress that any involvement would come from the bench.
Alexander-Arnold’s will be assessed following training on Friday, having only returned to full training two days ago.
The Reds need just six points to clinch a record-equaling 20th top-flight title. However, Slot’s men could be crowned as champions on Sunday if they defeat the Foxes and Arsenal lose to Ipswich at Portman Road.
